Information processing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method which allow a user to readily select, upon transmission of an electronic mail or upon uploading of image data, image data of a plurality of images to be attached to the electronic mail or image data to be transmitted. The user uses a cross key and a determination button of an inputting section of a camcorder to operate an anchor  424  on an image selection screen  411  to operate a page backward feeding button  421  and a page feeding button  422  to select a thumbnail image displayed. In response to an operation of the user, the anchor  424  is positioned on the left side of the number of the thumbnail image designated by the user, and image data of the thumbnail image at which the anchor  424  is positioned are selected. At a left upper portion of the selected thumbnail image, a check mark representative of such selection is displayed. When the user wants to end the image selection operation, it operates the anchor to operate a determination button  426 . The present invention can be applied to a camcorder.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/398,042, filed Oct. 7,2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,913,175 which is based on InternationalApplication PCT/JP02/07846 filed Aug. 1, 2002, pursuant to 35 USC 371,and is entitled to the priority filing date of Japanese application2001-233325 filed in Japan on Aug. 1, 2001, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an information processing apparatus andmethod, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus andmethod which allow a user to attach image data of a plurality of imagesreadily to an electronic mail or information regarding uploading ofimage data.

BACKGROUND ART

FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration of a network system composedof conventional information processing apparatus. In the network systemshown, a personal computer 1 is connected to a server 2-1 or 2-2 or anInternet service provider (ISP) 2-3. The personal computer 1 accesses,in response to an instruction of a user thereof, the server 2-1 or 2-2or the Internet service provider 2-3, establishes a connection furtherfrom it to the Internet and transmits a prepared electronic mail oruploads image data.

Usually, when image data are to be attached to a prepared electronicmail, the user will operate a GUI to designate a file name of data to beattached. Then, the designated data are processed and attached to andtransmitted together with the electronic mail.

Such a method as just described, however, has a subject that the usermust remember the file name of the image data to be attached, and if theuser does not remember the file name, then it must perform suchcomplicated operations as to start up a different application which canread an image and confirm the file name.

Further, also a method wherein a GUI is used to display images of imagedata in a list so that the user may select image data to be attachedfrom within the list is available. However, such an image list as justdescribed cannot be displayed readily from a GUI screen used fortransmitting an electronic mail, and if the user wants to attach animage immediately before an electronic mail is transmitted, complicatedoperations are required. Further, the number of images of image datawhich can be selected is one.

This similarly applies also to uploading of data.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation asdescribed above, and it is an object of the present invention to make itpossible, upon transmission of an electronic mail or upon uploading ofimage data, for a user to readily select image data of a plurality ofimages to be attached to the electronic mail or the image data.

According to the present invention, an information processing apparatusis characterized in that it includes transmission means for transmittinginformation through a network, holding means for holding first GUIinformation for allowing a user to select image data to be attached tothe information to be transmitted by the transmission means, displaymeans for displaying the first GUI information, and input acceptingmeans for accepting an input for operating the first GUI information bythe user.

The information transmitted by the transmission means may be anelectronic mail or information regarding uploading of the image data.

The first GUI information may include second GUI information forallowing the user to control the transmission of the information by thetransmission means, third GUI information for allowing the user toprepare the information and fourth GUI information for allowing the userto select image data to be attached to the information, and the thirdGUI information or the fourth GUI information may be displayed on thedisplay means in response to an operation of the user based on thesecond GUI information.

The fourth GUI information may allow selection of image data of aplurality of images as the image data to be attached to the information.

According to the present invention, an information processing method ischaracterized in that it includes a transmission step of transmittinginformation through a network, a holding step of holding first GUIinformation for allowing a user to select image data to be attached tothe information to be transmitted by the process at the transmissionstep, a display step of displaying the first GUI information, and aninput accepting step of accepting an input for operating the first GUIinformation by the user.

According to the present invention, a recording medium is characterizedin that a program includes a transmission step of transmittinginformation through a network, a holding step of holding first GUIinformation for allowing a user to select image data to be attached tothe information to be transmitted by the process at the transmissionstep, a display step of displaying the first GUI information, and aninput accepting step of accepting an input for operating the first GUIinformation by the user.

According to the present invention, a program causes a computer toexecute a transmission step of transmitting information through anetwork, a holding step of holding first GUI information for allowing auser to select image data to be attached to the information to betransmitted by the process at the transmission step, display step ofdisplaying the first GUI information, and an input accepting step ofaccepting an input for operating the first GUI information by the user.

In the information processing apparatus and method, recording medium andprogram of the present invention, the first GUI information displayed isoperated by the user, and selected image data of a plurality of imagesare attached to information to be transmitted through the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of a conventional networksystem;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a configuration of a service providing systemto which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camcorder of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a customerregistration web server of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image stationfor a camcorder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a customer databaseof FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a customer registration process inthe service providing system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a digital image customerregistration process of the camcorder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a digital image customerregistration process of a network system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating an ISP-A simple registrationprocess of the camcorder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an ISP-A simple registrationprocess of the customer database of an Internet service provider A ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an example of ISP-A setting informationat step S79 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an example of setting information for thecamcorder at step S80 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14A is a view illustrating setting items upon connection to theInternet;

FIG. 14B is a view illustrating setting items upon connection to theInternet;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an album utilization registrationprocess of the camcorder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating an album registration utilizationprocess of the image station for the camcorder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating an accessing process of thecamcorder of FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating utilization of a unified ID and password;

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a configuration of buttonsincluded in an inputting section 77 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of a monitor image displayed on anLCD unit 78;

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of a network menu screen displayedon the LCD unit 78;

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of a display of a transmission tabscreen displayed on the LCD unit 78;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating a mail transmission mode process bya CPU 71;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a display of a characterinputting screen displayed on the LCD unit 78;

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of a display of a transmissionstate confirmation screen displayed when a process for transmitting anelectronic mail is proceeding;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart illustrating details of an attached imageselection process executed at step S204 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart continuing from that of FIG. 25 illustratingdetails of the attached image selection process performed at step S204of FIG. 22;

FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a display of, an image selectionscreen displayed on the LCD unit 78;

FIG. 29 is a flow chart illustrating details of a text editing processexecuted at step S208 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 30 is a view showing an example of a display of a text detailscreen displayed on the LCD unit 78;

FIG. 31 is a view showing an example of a display of a WEB album menuscreen displayed on the LCD unit 78;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart illustrating an uploading process by the CPU 71;

FIG. 33 is a view showing an example of a display of an upload screendisplayed on the LCD unit 78;

FIG. 34 is a view showing an example of a display of an upload stateconfirmation screen displayed on the LCD unit 78 during uploading ofimage data;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart illustrating details of an upload imageselection process executed at step S305 of FIG. 31; and

FIG. 36 is a flow chart continuing from that of FIG. 34 illustratingdetails of the upload image selection process executed at step S305 ofFIG. 31.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration of a service providing systemincluding an information processing apparatus to which the presentinvention is applied. In the service providing system, a network system14, a network service business center 15, an image station server 16, anInternet service provider A (ISP-A) 17, another Internet serviceprovider B (ISP-B) 18, an information providing server 19, and a searchserver 20 are connected to the Internet 10.

Further, the network system 14, Internet service provider A17 andInternet service provider B18 are connected to a public network 13. Alsothe Bluetooth adapter 12 is further connected to the public network 13.A camcorder 11 can be connected to the Bluetooth adapter 12 throughshort distance radio communication in accordance with the Bluetooth(trademark) and further connected to the network system 14, the Internetservice provider A17, or the Internet service provider B18 through thepublic network 13.

The network system 14 includes an access point (AP) 31, a customerdatabase (C-DB) 32, a customer registration web server 33 and aregistration authentication (RAP) 34.

The access point 31 is connected to the public network 13. The customerdatabase 32 records several kinds of information of a user who haspurchased the camcorder 11. The customer registration web server 33controls a registration process of the camcorder 11. The registrationauthentication platform 34 executes an authentication process of theuser in the network system 14.

While, in the example of FIG. 2, the access point 31, customer database32, customer registration web server 33 and registration authenticationplatform 34 are formed individually, otherwise they can be formedintegrally.

The network service business center 15 has an image station 41 for acamcorder. The camcorder image station 41 registers and manages imagedata transmitted from the camcorder 11.

The image station server 17 registers and manages image data transmittedfrom a personal computer not shown.

The Internet service provider A17 includes an access point 51, acustomer database 52 and a mail server 53. The mail server 53 includes aPOP server 54, and an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server 55.

The Internet service provider A17 is a particular Internet serviceprovider and is an Internet connection service provided by a party sameas a provider of the service providing system shown in FIG. 2 or anenterprise or the like cooperating with the provider.

The access point 51 performs a communication process with the publicnetwork 13. The customer database 52 registers various kinds ofinformation of the user of the Internet service provider A17. The POPserver 54 principally manages a process of transmission and reception ofa mail to and from the camcorder 11. The SMTP server 55 principallymanages transmission and reception of a mail to and from another SMTPserver (in the case of the present example, an SMTP server 65 of theInternet service provider B18).

The Internet service provider B18 includes an access point 61 and acustomer database 62, and further includes a mail server 63 which inturn includes a POP server 64 and the SMTP server 65. This basicconfiguration is similar to that of the Internet service provider A17.

The information providing server 19 provides various kinds ofinformation regarding, for example, commodities of a predeterminedenterprise. The search server 20 provides a service of searching forvarious kinds of information laid open on the Internet 10.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a configuration of the camcorder 11. Thecamcorder 11 is a video tape recorder of the type integrated with acamera and has an accessing function to the Internet 10. Referring toFIG. 3, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71 executes various processes inaccordance with programs stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 72 orprograms loaded in a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73. Also data necessaryfor execution of various processes by the CPU 71 and so forth are storedsuitably into the RAM 73. Data necessary to be kept stored also afterthe power supply is disconnected are stored into an EEPROM (ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 74.

The CPU 71, ROM 72, RAM 73 and EEPROM 74 are connected to each other bya bus 75. Also an input/output interface 76 is connected to the bus 75.

Further connected to the input/output interface 76 are an inputtingsection 77 including various buttons such as a cross key, adetermination button, a menu button, switches and so forth, an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) unit 78, a speaker 79, an image pickup element80 formed from a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image pickup element or thelike, a microphone 81 for fetching a sound signal, and a communicationsection 82 which performs short distance radio communication with theBluetooth adapter 12 in accordance with the Bluetooth.

A recording and reproduction section 83 records image data picked up bythe image pickup element 80, sound data gathered by the microphone 81and so forth onto a cassette magnetic tape loaded therein. Further, therecording and reproduction section 83 reproduces image data and sounddata recorded on a cassette magnetic, tape, and outputs an imagecorresponding to the video data to the LCD unit 78 so that the imagedata are displayed on the LCD unit 78 while it supplies the sound datato the speaker 79 so that the sound data are outputted from the speaker79.

A memory card interface 84 executes, when a memory card 85 as a portablesemiconductor memory is loaded therein, a writing process and a readingout process of data into and from the memory card 85. Into the memorycard 85, not only image data picked up by the image pickup element 80and sound data gathered by the microphone 81 can be recorded, but alsovarious kinds of data acquired from the communication section 82 throughthe Internet 10 can be stored.

An encoder/decoder 86 encodes or decodes image data in accordance withthe MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system or the JPEG (JointPhotographic Coding Experts Group) system.

When necessary, a drive 87 is connected to the input/output interface76, and a magnetic disk 91, an optical disk 92, a magneto-optical disk93 or a semiconductor memory 94 is suitably loaded into the input/outputinterface 76 and a computer program read out from it is installed intothe RAM 73 when necessary.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a configuration of the customer registrationweb server 33. Referring to FIG. 4, a CPU 111 executes various processesin accordance with programs stored in a ROM 112 or programs loaded intoa RAM 113 from a storage section 118. Also data necessary for executionof various processes by the CPU 111 and so forth are stored suitablyinto the RAM 113.

The CPU 111, ROM 112 and RAM 113 are connected to each other by a bus114. Also an input/output interface 115 is connected to the bus 114.

Further connected to the input/output interface 115 are an inputtingsection 116 formed from a keyboard, mouse and so forth, an outputtingsection 117 formed, from a display unit such as a CRT or an LCD unit, aspeaker and so forth, a storage section 118 formed from a hard disk orthe like, and a communication section 119 formed from a modem, aterminal adapter and so forth. The communication section 119 performs acommunication process through a network including the Internet 10.

When necessary, a drive 120 is connected to the input/output interface115, and a magnetic disk 131, an optical disk 132, a magneto-opticaldisk 133, a semiconductor memory 134 or the like is suitably loaded intothe input/output interface 115 and a computer program read out from itis installed into the storage section 118 when necessary.

Where the access point 31, customer database 32 and registrationauthentication platform 34 are formed separately from the customerregistration web server 33, though not shown, they have a configurationbasically similar to that of the customer registration web server 33.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a configuration of the camcorder imagestation 41 which composes the network business center 15. Components ofthe camcorder image station 41 from a CPU 151 to a semiconductor memory174 have a configuration basically similar to that of the components ofthe customer registration web server 33 of FIG. 4 from the CPU 111 tothe semiconductor memory 134, and those elements having correspondingnames have corresponding functions. Accordingly, description of them isomitted to avoid redundancy.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a configuration of the customer database 52of the Internet service provider A17. Also components of the customerdatabase 52 from a CPU 191 to a semiconductor memory 214 have aconfiguration basically similar to that of the components of thecustomer registration web server 33 of FIG. 4 from the CPU 111 tosemiconductor memory 134, and those components having correspondingnames have corresponding functions. Therefore, overlapping descriptionof them is omitted to avoid redundancy.

Where the access point 51 and the mail server 53 (POP server 54 and SMTPserver 55) are formed separately from the customer database 52, alsothey have a configuration basically similar to that of the customerdatabase 52 of FIG. 6.

A user who has purchased the camcorder 11 can enjoy a service providedby the service providing system of FIG. 2. To this end, the user of thecamcorder 11 will execute a process of registering the camcorder 11 (theuser thereof) into the network system 14. When the camcorder 11 ispurchased, the Bluetooth adapter 12 is annexed as an accessory to thecamcorder 11 (if the Bluetooth adapter 12 is not annexed, then it ispurchased separately), and the user can connect the Bluetooth adapter 12to the public network 13 to register the camcorder 11 (the user thereof)into the network system 14.

When this registration process is performed, a process illustrated in aflow chart of FIG. 7 is executed by the service providing system. Inparticular, at step S1, a digital image customer registration process isexecuted by the network system 14, and then at step S2, an ISP-A simpleregistration process is executed by the Internet service provider A17.Thereafter, at step S3, an album utilization registration process isexecuted by the network business center 15.

Thus, the processes at steps S1 to S3 are described individually below.

First, the digital image customer registration process by the networksystem 14 is described with reference to flow charts of FIGS. 8 and 9.FIG. 8 illustrates a process of the camcorder 11 when the registrationprocess is performed, and FIG. 9 illustrates a corresponding process ofthe customer registration web server 33.

At step S11, the user of the camcorder 11 will operate the inputtingsection 77 to issue an instruction to access the network system 14. Thedestination of the access is stored in advance in the ROM 72. The CPU 71controls the communication section 82 based on the information stored inthe ROM 72 to issue an instruction to access the access point 31 of thenetwork system 14. Upon reception of the instruction, the communicationsection 81 communicates with the Bluetooth adapter 12 through shortdistance communication to access the access point 31 of the networksystem 14 from the Bluetooth adapter 12 through the public network 13.

A guest ID is utilized for this first time access to the network system14. In particular, if the user inputs, for example, “GUEST” as an ID,then the registration authentication platform 34 permits the access.After registration authentication platform 34 permits the access fromthe camcorder 11, it passes the management right for processing for thecamcorder 11 to the customer registration web server 33.

The CPU 111 of the customer registration web server 33 issues, at thistime at step S31 of FIG. 9, a request to input personal information tothe user of the camcorder 11. This request is outputted from thecommunication section 119 and transmitted to the camcorder 11 throughthe access point 31, public network 13 and Bluetooth adapter 12.

Upon reception of the request from the communication section 82, the CPU71 of the camcorder 11 outputs a message corresponding to the request tothe LCD unit 78 so that the message is displayed on the LCD unit 78 atstep S12.

The user of the camcorder 11 will operate the inputting section 77 basedon the message to input its personal information. The personalinformation includes a registration code formed from 16 numerical andalphabetical letters of the camcorder 11 (the registration code iscarried on a post card annexed to the camcorder 11 when it ispurchased), a zip code, the name, an address, the date of birth, thesex, a telephone number, an electronic mail address and so forth of theuser, a product number (serial number) and the purchased date of thecamcorder 11, and so forth.

When such personal information is inputted, the CPU 71 of the camcorder11 causes the personal information to be transmitted to the networksystem 14 at step S12.

In particular, the CPU 71 controls the communication section 82 totransmit the inputted personal information to the network system 14. Thepersonal information is supplied to the customer registration web server33 through the Bluetooth adapter 12, public network 13 and access point31.

The CPU 111 of the customer registration web server 33 acquires thepersonal information through the communication section 119 and suppliesthe personal information to the RAM 113 so that the personal informationis temporarily stored into the RAM 113 at step S31 of FIG. 9.

After the personal information is registered into the RAM 113, the CPU111 produces a personal information confirmation screen and causes thepersonal information confirmation screen to be transmitted from thecommunication section 119 to the camcorder 11 at step S32. The data ofthe personal information confirmation screen are supplied from theaccess point 31 to the Bluetooth adapter 12 through the public network13 and then transmitted from the Bluetooth adapter 12 to the camcorder11.

The CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the data of the personalinformation confirmation screen through the communication section 82 andstores the data once into the RAM 73 and then reads out and outputs thedata to the LCD unit 78 so that the personal information confirmationscreen is displayed on the LCD unit 78 at step S13 of FIG. 8.Consequently, the personal information inputted by the user of thecamcorder 11 is displayed on the LCD unit 78 for confirmation by theuser.

If the user operates the inputting section 77 to input that the personalinformation inputted by the user itself has been affirmed, then the CPU71 controls the communication section 82 to transmit the confirmationsignal to the customer registration web server 33.

The CPU 111 of the customer registration web server 33 receives theconfirmation signal through the communication section 119 and transfersthe personal information registered in the RAM 113 to the storagesection 118 so that the personal information is stored into the storagesection 118 at step S32 of FIG. 9.

Then at step S33, the CPU 111 issues a temporary ID and a temporarypassword to the user of the camcorder 11. The temporary ID and thetemporary password are outputted from the communication section 119 andtransmitted to the camcorder 11 through the access point 31, publicnetwork 13 and Bluetooth adapter 12.

The CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the temporary ID and thetemporary password through the communication section 82 and eithersupplies them to the LCD unit 78 so that they are displayed on the LCDunit 78 or supplies them to the EEPROM 74 so that they are stored intothe EEPROM 74 at step S14 of FIG. 8.

The customer registration web server 33 supplies the personalinformation of the user of the camcorder 11 registered in the storagesection 118 in such a manner as described above to the customer database32 so that the personal information is registered into the customerdatabase 32 at step S33.

At step S34, the customer database 32 supplies the personal informationto the camcorder image station 41 of the network service business center15 through the Internet 10.

The CPU 151 of the camcorder image station 41 receives the personalinformation transmitted from the network system 14 through thecommunication section 159 and supplies the personal information to thestorage section 158 so that the personal information is stored into thestorage section 158 (at step S121 of FIG. 16 hereinafter described).

At step S35, the customer database 32 further transmits the personalinformation of the camcorder 11 to the customer database 52 of theInternet service provider A17.

The customer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17 registersthe personal information of the camcorder 11 transmitted from thenetwork system 14 through the Internet 10 (at step S71 of FIG. 11hereinafter described).

It is to be noted that, at step S36, when the personal information ofthe user of the camcorder 11 is changed later in the network businesscenter 15, the customer database 32 of the network system 14 receivesthis from the camcorder image station 41 through the Internet 10 andstores it into the customer database 32 itself. Further, the customerdatabase 32 supplies the updated personal information from the Internet10 to the customer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17 sothat the changed personal information is registered into the customerdatabase 52.

On the contrary, since, when the user of the camcorder 11 changes thepersonal information, this is registered into the customer database 52in the Internet service provider A17, the customer database 52 issues anotification of this to the customer database 32 of the network system14 through the Internet 10. The customer database 32 overwrites theinputted personal information on the old personal information to updatethe personal information.

At this time, the customer database 32 further transmits the updatedpersonal information to the camcorder image station 41 of the networkbusiness center 15 through the Internet 10.

The camcorder image station 41 updates the old personal information withthe inputted personal information.

In this manner, if the personal information in the network system 14,network service business center 15 and Internet service provider A17 isupdated in any one of them, then this is reflected immediately on thereal time basis on the other two.

After the user of the camcorder 11 is registered into the customerdatabase 32 of the network system 14 in such a manner as describedabove, the network system 14 thereafter issues a notification of variouskinds of information regarding the camcorder 11 to the user of thecamcorder 11 when necessary through the Internet 10 or by such means asa post card.

After the digital image customer registration process is completed insuch a manner as described above, the ISP-A simple registration processis executed subsequently. In particular, when the customer registrationprocess is completed, the customer registration web server 33 passes themanagement right for later processing for the camcorder 11 to thecustomer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17.

Accordingly, the ISP-A simple registration process is thereafterexecuted between the camcorder 11 and the customer database 52 of theInternet service provider A17. FIG. 10 illustrates a process of thecamcorder 11 in this instance, and FIG. 11 illustrates a correspondingprocess of the customer database 52.

After the CPU 191 of the customer database 52 of the Internet serviceprovider A17 receives the personal information transmitted from thecustomer database 32 of the network system 14 at step S35 of FIG. 9, itsupplies the personal information to the storage section 198 so that thepersonal information is stored into the storage section 198 at step S71of FIG. 11.

When the personal information of the camcorder 11 is received at stepS71, the customer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17issues a request to the camcorder 11 to input whether or not the useralready is a member of the Internet service provider A17 and input, ifthe user is a member, the user ID of the Internet service provider A17.

The CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the request and outputs acorresponding message to the LCD unit 78 so that the message isdisplayed on the LCD unit 78 at step S51 of FIG. 10. The user willobserve the display and operate, if the user itself is a member of theInternet service provider A17 already, the inputting section 77 to inputits user ID. On the other hand, if the user is not a member, this willbe inputted. The CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 discriminates, at step S52,whether or not the user ID of the Internet service provider A17 isinputted. If it is inputted that the user is not a member of theInternet service provider A17, then the CPU 71 controls thecommunication section 82 to transmit a notification of this to thecustomer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17 at step S53.

The CPU 191 of the customer database 52 receives this input through thecommunication section 199 and discriminates that the user is not amember of the Internet service provider A17 at step S72 of FIG. 11.Thereafter, the processing advances to step S73, at which the CPU 191causes personal information for entry into the Internet service providerA17 to be transmitted. As this personal information, the informationtransmitted from the network system 14 by the process at step S35 ofFIG. 9 and received and stored at step S71 is used basically as it is.

The CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the personal information forentry into the Internet service provider A17 through the communicationsection 82 and outputs the personal information to the LCD unit 78 sothat the personal information is displayed on the LCD unit 78 at stepS54 of FIG. 10.

This personal information is basically free from an error because it wasinputted by the user of the camcorder 11 when it performed its userregistration into the network system 14. However, to make sure, the userwill observe the display and discriminate Whether or not the personalinformation need to be corrected. If the personal information need becorrected, then the user will operate the inputting section 77 to inputcorrection.

Thus, at step S55, the CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 discriminates whetheror not correction is inputted. If correction is inputted, then the CPU71 controls the communication section 82 to transmit the corrected itemto the customer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17 at stepS56. If correction is not inputted, then the process at step S56 isskipped.

The CPU 191 of the customer database 52 of the Internet service providerA17 discriminates at step S74 of FIG. 11 whether or not correction isreceived through the communication section 199. If correction isreceived, then the CPU 191 corrects the registered personal informationbased on the received contents of the correction at step S75. Ifcorrection is not received, then the process at step S75 is skipped.

As the personal information, the personal information when the user whopurchased the camcorder 11 performed its user registration into thenetwork system 14 is displayed basically as it is as describedhereinabove (from within the personal information, only that informationwhich is necessary for the user to become a member of the Internetservice provider A17 is displayed). Accordingly, the user need not inputitems basically similar to the items which were inputted for userregistration into the network system 14 again in order to become amember of the Internet service provider A17. Accordingly, theoperability is improved.

Then at step S57, the CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 controls the LCD unit78 to display a message for urging the user to input a user name and apassword in accordance with an input guidance from the customer database52. The user of the camcorder 11 will operate the inputting section 77in accordance with the message to input the user name and the passwordwhich the user uses when it utilizes the Internet service provider A17.The CPU 71 controls the communication section 82 to transmit the username and the password thus inputted to the customer database 52 of theInternet service provider A17.

The CPU 191 of the customer database 52 receives, at step S76, the username and the password through the communication section 199 anddiscriminates based on the data stored in the storage section 198whether or not the user name and the password are already used by someother user. If they are used, then a message representing this istransmitted from the communication section 199 to the camcorder 11.

The CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the message through thecommunication section 82 and controls the LCD unit 78 to display themessage. The user of the camcorder 11 will observe the display, and ifit discriminates that the user name and the password inputted areregistered already, then it will input a new user name and a newpassword.

When the user name and the password are transmitted from the camcorder11 in such a manner as described above, the CPU 191 of the customerdatabase 52 acquires them through the communication section 199 at stepS76 of FIG. 11 and determines a user ID based on the user name at stepS77. This user ID is a user ID as a member of the Internet serviceprovider A17.

In the present service providing system, a common ID and a commonpassword can be used in the network system 14, network service businesscenter 15 and Internet service provider A17. However, as describedhereinabove, at the stage wherein user registration is performed intothe network system 14, a temporary ID and a temporary password arealready set to the user of the camcorder 11 (at step S14 of FIG. 8, andat step S33 of FIG. 9).

In order to allow the user to enjoy a service provided by the Internetservice provider A17 based on the temporary ID and the temporarypassword, the CPU 191 produces, at step S78, a table which describes amatching relationship for matching the temporary ID and the temporarypassword issued by the network system 14 at step S33 of FIG. 9 andreceived by the process at step S71 with the user ID determined at stepS77, and registers the table into the ISP-A simple connection.

Consequently, when the user of the camcorder 11 accesses the Internetservice provider A17 based on the temporary ID and the temporarypassword issued from the network system 14 at step S33 of FIG. 9 andreceived by the camcorder 11 at step S14 of FIG. 8, the customerdatabase 52 searches for the user ID corresponding to the temporary IDand the temporary password from the table to allow the user of thecamcorder 11 to utilize a service provided by the Internet serviceprovider A17.

When registration of the user of the camcorder 11 as a member of theInternet service provider A17 is completed in such a manner as describedabove, the CPU 191 transmits, at step S79, setting information necessaryfor accessing to the Internet service provider A17 to the camcorder 11.

The CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the ISP-A setting informationfrom the Internet service provider A17 and outputs it to the LCD unit 78so that the ISP-A setting information is displayed on the LCD unit 78 atstep S58 of FIG. 10. Consequently, the user can confirm the ISP-Asetting information. The ISP-A setting information describes, forexample, as shown in FIG. 12, PPP login, a PPP password, an access pointtelephone number, a POP ID, a POP password, an E-mail address, a POPserver, an SMTP mail server, a news server and so forth.

The user of the camcorder 11 will take a note of the contents shown inFIG. 12 when necessary and operate the inputting section 77 to output asignal of confirmation to the Internet service provider A17.

The customer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17 transmitscamcorder setting information at step S80.

The camcorder 11 receives the camcorder setting information and controlsthe LCD unit 78 to display the camcorder setting information at step S59of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of the camcorder setting informationtransmitted from the customer database 52 to the camcorder 11 in thismanner. In the example illustrated, the camcorder setting information iscomposed of a DI customer ID, a DI password and an access pointtelephone number.

The access point telephone number represents a telephone number of apoint to be accessed when the camcorder 11 establishes a connection tothe Internet 10, more particularly, of the access point 51 of theInternet service provider A17.

The user of the camcorder 11 will operate the inputting section 77 toset the camcorder setting information displayed in this manner as arequirement for connection to the Internet 10 to the camcorder 11. Thissetting is stored into the EEPROM 74.

For example, in order for the user who has purchased a personal computerto establish a connection to the Internet 10 through a general serviceprovider (in the example of FIG. 2, the Internet service provider B18),it must set such totaling 12 items including an ID for PPP connection, apassword for PPP connection, an access point telephone number, a PrimaryDNS server, a Secondary DNS server, a Proxy Server, a Port Number, an IDfor POP authentication, a password for POP authentication, a POP server,an SMTP server and a mail address as shown in FIG. 14A. However, wherethe user who has purchased the camcorder 11 in this manner performs theISP-A simple registration process, it is necessary for the user of thecamcorder 11 only to set such three items including a Unified ID (whichcorresponds to the DI customer ID in FIG. 13), a password (whichcorresponds to the DI password in FIG. 13) and an access point telephonenumber (which corresponds to the access point telephone number in FIG.13) as shown in FIG. 14B. Accordingly, even if the user is unfamiliar tosuch setting operation, it can perform operation for connection to theInternet simply.

Where the user itself of the camcorder 11 is a member of the Internetservice provider A17 already, it will operate the inputting section 77based on the request from the customer database 52 to input the user IDof the Internet service provider A17. Thus, in this instance, the CPU 71of the camcorder 11 acquires the user ID of the Internet serviceprovider A17 inputted from the user and controls the communicationsection 82 to transmit the user ID of the Internet service provider A17to the customer database 52 at step S61 of FIG. 10.

The CPU 191 of the customer database 52 of the Internet service providerA17 receives and acquires the user ID of the Internet service providerA17 transmitted from the camcorder 11 at step S81 of FIG. 11, and causescamcorder setting information for matching the user ID of the Internetservice provider A17 of the user with the temporary ID and the temporarypassword included in the personal information of the user received bythe process at step S71 to the camcorder 11 at step S82.

When the CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the Camcorder settinginformation for matching the user ID of the Internet service providerA17 with the temporary ID and the temporary password transmitted fromthe customer database 52, it performs, based on an input performed by anoperation of the inputting section 77 by the user, a process of settingso that the user ID of the Internet service provider A17 matches withtemporary ID and the temporary password at step S63. More particularly,the CPU 71 produces a matching table between the user ID of the Internetservice provider A17 and the temporary ID and temporary password.Accordingly, if the temporary password and the temporary ID are inputtedand an instruction to establish a connection to the Internet 10 isissued, then the CPU 71 converts the temporary ID and the temporarypassword into the user ID of the Internet service provider A17 andperforms an accessing process to the Internet service provider A17.

The CPU 191 of the customer database 52 advances its processing afterthe process at step S80 or S82 of FIG. 11 to step S83, at which ittransmits the information registered by the processing till then or,where the registration information is updated by the user, the updatedinformation, to the network system 14.

The customer database 32 of the network system 14 receives theregistration information from the Internet service provider A17 andregisters it into the customer database 32 itself. Further, the customerdatabase 32 transmits the registration information to the camcorderimage station 41 of the network service business center 15 so that theregistration information may be reflected on the camcorder image station41.

Subsequently to such an ISP-A simple registration process as describedabove, the album utilization registration process is executed. The albumutilization registration is further described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 illustrates an album utilizationregistration process of the camcorder 11 while FIG. 16 illustrates acorresponding album utilization registration process of the camcorderimage station 41.

After the simple registration process of the ISP-A, the CPU 191 of thecustomer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17 passes themanagement right for processing of the camcorder 11 to the camcorderimage station 41 of the network service business center 15.

The CPU 151 of the camcorder image station 41 receives the personalinformation of the camcorder 11 transmitted from the customer database32 of the network system 14 at step S34 of FIG. 9 through thecommunication section 159 and supplies the personal information to thestorage section 158 so that the personal information is stored into thestorage section 158 at step S121 of FIG. 16. The CPU 151 reads out thename and the mail address of the received personal information andtransmits them to the camcorder 11 at step S122.

After the CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 receives the name and the mailaddress from the camcorder image station 41, it outputs them to the LCDunit 78 so that they are displayed on the LCD unit 78 at step S101. Theuser of the camcorder 11 will observe the display to discriminatewhether or not the name and the mail address of the user itself arecorrect. It is to be noted that the mail address (E-mail address) is anE-mail address (FIG. 12) set in the member registration into theInternet service provider A17.

When the user of the camcorder 11 confirms that the name and the mailaddress are correct, it will operate the input 77 to input, if itacknowledges that the name and the mail address are used for albumutilization registration, this. Thus, at step S102, the CPU 71discriminates whether or not acknowledgement is inputted. Ifacknowledgement is inputted, then the processing advances to step S103,at which the CPU 71 causes an acknowledgement signal corresponding tothe input to be transmitted to the camcorder image station 41.

On the other hand, if the user does not acknowledge the albumutilization registration, then the user will operate the inputtingsection 77 to input this. At this time, the CPU 71 causes anon-acknowledgement signal, which represents that the album utilizationregistration has not been acknowledged, to be transmitted to thecamcorder image station 41 at step S104.

The CPU 151 of the camcorder image station 41 discriminates at step S123of FIG. 16 whether or not an acknowledgement signal is inputted. If anacknowledgement signal is inputted, then the processing advances to stepS124, at, which the personal information received at step S121 is storedinto the storage section 158.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S123 that anacknowledgement signal is not inputted, then the process at step S124 isskipped.

The personal information corresponding to the temporary ID and thetemporary password issued by the network system 14 is registered intothe camcorder image station 41 in this manner.

Thereafter, at step S125, the CPU 151 of the camcorder image station 41transmits, if it is inputted from the user that the registrationinformation should be updated, this to the network system 14.

The customer database 32 of the network system 14 registers the updateinformation into the customer database 32 itself and transmits it to thecustomer database 52 of the Internet service provider A17 so that it isregistered into the customer database 52.

It is to be noted that, after the temporary ID and the temporarypassword are issued, the customer database 32 of the network system 14sends a postcard, on which the regular ID and the regular password arecarried, to the address of the user. When the user receives thepostcard, it will replace the temporary ID and the temporary passwordwith and utilize the regular ID and the regular password.

After the regular ID and the regular password are issued, the customerdatabase 32 transmits them to the network business center 15 and theInternet service provider A17 through the Internet 10. In the networkbusiness center 15 and the Internet service provider A17, the regular IDand the regular password are registered individually. The temporary IDand the temporary password can be utilized only for a predeterminedperiod of time (for example, for two weeks) after they are issued, andthe network system 14, network business center 15 and Internet serviceprovider A17 individually consider the temporary ID and the temporarypassword valid only for two weeks and reject accessing thereof if thetemporary ID and the temporary password are used after the valid periodelapses.

It is to be noted that, while, in the foregoing description, userregistration is performed from the camcorder 11 into the network system14, it is otherwise possible to perform registration from a personalcomputer through the Internet 10 or registration by a postcard.

Subsequently, a process when the camcorder 11 establishes a connectionto the network system 14, network business center 15 or Internet serviceprovider A17 is described with reference to a flow chart of FIG. 17. Theuser will operate the inputting section 77 to input the temporary ID andthe temporary password allocated upon user registration into the networksystem 14 (or the regular ID and the regular password set later). Atstep S141, the CPU 71 acquires the ID and the password inputted based onthe operation of the inputting section 77 by the user. Further, at stepS142, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the access destinationdesignated by the user is the Internet service provider A17.

If the access destination is the Internet service provider A17, then theprocessing advances to step S143, at which the CPU 71 discriminateswhether or not the conversion table produced at step S63 of FIG. 10 ispresent. If the conversion table is present (if the user of thecamcorder 11 already was a member of the Internet service provider A17and had the user ID before it performed user registration of thecamcorder 11), then the processing advances to step S144, at which theCPU 71 converts the ID and the password acquired at step S141 into theuser ID of the Internet service provider A17 based on the conversiontable. Then at step S145, the CPU 71 controls the communication section82 based on the user ID of the Internet service provider A17 to accessthe Internet service provider A17.

If it is discriminated at step S143 that the conversion table is notpresent (if the user has performed member registration into the Internetservice provider A17 after it purchased the camcorder 11 and performeduser registration into the network system 14), then the processingadvances to step S145, at which the CPU 71 uses the ID and the passwordthus inputted to execute a process of accessing to the Internet serviceprovider A17. In this instance, since the customer database 52 of theInternet service provider A17 has the conversion table as describedhereinabove, the Internet service provider A17 discriminates based onthe conversion table whether or not the camcorder 11 is a legal user.

If it is discriminated at step S142 that the access designation is notthe Internet service provider A17, then the processing advances to stepS146, at which the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the accessdestination is the network system 14. If the access destination is thenetwork system 14, then the processing advances to step S147, at whichthe CPU 71 accesses the network system 14 based on the ID and thepassword acquired at step S141. Similarly, if it is discriminated atstep S146 that the access destination is not the network system (if itis discriminated that the access destination is the network businesscenter 15), then the processing advances to step S148, at which the CPU71 makes use of the ID and the password acquired at step S141 to accessthe network business center 15.

In this manner, in the present service providing system, the user canenjoy a service provided using a temporary ID and a temporary password(same ID and password) issued upon user registration into the networksystem 14 as the IDs and the passwords for the network system 14,network business center 15 and Internet service provider A17 as seen inFIG. 18.

In such a service providing system as described above, the camcorder 11can be connected to the Internet 10, for example, through the Internetprovider A17 to transmit an electronic mail to which image data areattached or upload image data.

The user will operate a cross key, a determination button, a networkbutton, a network menu button and so forth which compose the inputtingsection 77 of the camcorder 11 to operate a GUI to attach image data toan electronic mail or upload image data. In the following, the operationmethod is described.

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a configuration of a buttongroup included in the inputting section 77 of FIG. 3.

In the example of FIG. 19, the inputting section 77 includes a cross key291 for moving an anchor in upward and downward directions and leftwardand rightward directions, a determination button 292 for issuing aninstruction to execute a process, a network button 293 for displaying ascreen for selection of a network function, and a network menu button294 for displaying a menu button which is a GUI for allowing variousprocesses to be selected.

The cross key 291 is a button provided on a housing of the camcorder 11,and triangles indicative of the upward, downward, leftward and rightwarddirections are displayed on the cross key 291. If the user operates aportion of the cross key 291 in the proximity of one of the triangles,then an anchor displayed on the LCD unit 78 is moved in the directionindicated by the triangle.

For example, if the user operates a portion of the cross key 291 in theproximity of the triangle indicative of the upward direction, then theanchor displayed on the LCD unit 78 moves from a position at which it iscurrently displayed to another position at which the anchor can bepositioned such as a button present in the upward direction. Also whenthe user operates a portion of the cross key 291 in the proximity of thetriangle indicative of the downward direction, rightward direction orleftward direction, the anchor moves to a next button or the likepresent in the direction indicated by the triangle. In this manner, theuser can operate the anchor displayed on the LCD unit 78 by operatingthe cross key 291.

It is to be noted that the indication indicative of a direction on thecross key 291 is not limited to a triangle but may have any shape onlyif it indicates a direction, and such indications may be provided aroundthe cross key 291. Further, the directions indicated by the cross key291 are not limited to the upward, downward, leftward and rightwarddirections, but may be any directions such as four directions of theobliquely rightwardly upward direction, obliquely rightwardly downwarddirection, obliquely leftwardly upward direction and obliquelyleftwardly downward direction.

The determination button 292 is a button provided on the housing of thecamcorder 11 and is a button formed together with the cross key 291. Thedetermination button 292 is provided at the center of the cross key 291and surrounded by the portions of the cross key 291 which indicate theupward, downward, leftward and rightward directions. If the useroperates the central portion of the cross key 291, that is, thedetermination button 292, then a process corresponding to a button orthe like at which the anchor is positioned is executed.

For example, the user can operate the cross key 291 to position theanchor at an object button on a GUI displayed on the LCD unit 78 andoperate the determination button 292 to execute an arbitrary process.

It is to be noted that the determination button 292 is formed as aseparate member from the cross key 291.

The network button 293 is a button provided on the housing of thecamcorder 11 and is a button for displaying a GUI for performing aprocess regarding a network on the LCD unit 78. For example, if the useroperates the network button 293, then such a network menu screen asshown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the LCD unit 78. The user can cause afunction regarding a network to operate based on the network menuscreen.

The network menu button 294 is a button provided on the housing of thecamcorder 11 and is a button for causing the LCD unit 78 to display aGUI for performing a process regarding WEB contents displayed on the LCDunit 78.

It is to be noted that the network button 293 and the network menubutton 294 may be formed as a single button. In this instance, when thebutton is operated by the user, the process indicated by the buttonvaries based on a GUI displayed on the LCD unit 78.

By operating the buttons formed on the inputting section 77 in such amanner as described above, the user can perform various processes basedon a GUI displayed on the LCD unit 78.

FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of a monitor image displayed on theLCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 20, a monitor image 300 fetched by the imagepickup section 80 is displayed on the LCD unit 78. Further, an imagepickup information section 311 is provided at an upper portion, andvarious kinds of information regarding the image pickup is displayed ina superposed relationship with the monitor image 300 in the image pickupinformation section 311. Further, at a lower portion, buttons forinstruction of execution of various processes based on the GUI aredisplayed in a superposed relationship with the monitor image 300.

A pair of zoom buttons 321A and 321B are buttons for indicatingadjustment of the focal distance of an image to be fetched by the imagepickup section 80.

A network button 322 is a button for selecting a function of thecamcorder 11 regarding a network.

A still picture mode button 323 is a button for selecting a stillpicture image pickup function of the camcorder 11. Meanwhile, an indexbutton 324 is a button for instruction of display of informationregarding image data or sound data recorded on a cassette magnetic tapeloaded. Further, a function button 325 is a button for instruction ofdisplay of a GUI for operating various functions such as a settingfunction.

The anchor representative of indication by the user is positioned at oneof the zoom buttons 321A and 321B, network button 322, still picturemode button 323, index button 324 and function button 325.

Thus, the user can move the position of the anchor to another button byoperating the cross key 291 of the inputting section 77 so as toindicate the rightward direction or the leftward direction. If the useroperates the determination button 292 of the inputting section 77, thena process corresponding to the button at which the anchor is positionedis executed.

In the example of FIG. 20, the anchor is positioned at the networkbutton 322. In this instance, if the user operates the cross key 291 ofthe inputting section 77 so as to indicate the rightward direction, thenthe anchor moves to the still picture mode button 323, but otherwise ifthe user operates the cross key 291 so as to indicate the leftwarddirection, then the anchor moves to the zoom button 321B.

If the anchor is positioned at the network button 322 and the useroperates the determination button 291 of the inputting section 77, thena network menu screen which is a GUI for selection of a processregarding a network to be executed is displayed on the LCD unit 78. Alsowhen the network button 293 of the inputting section 77 is operated, thenetwork menu screen is displayed on the LCD unit 78.

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of the network menu screendisplayed on the LCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 21, provided on the network menu screen 330 are abrowser button 331 for rendering a browser function operative, a settingbutton 332 for performing various settings regarding a network, a mailbutton 333 for rendering a mail function operative, a Web album button334 for rendering a function regarding a WEB album operative and an endbutton 335 for closing the network menu screen 330 to end the processregarding the network and restoring the monitor image 300 shown in FIG.20.

If the user operates the cross key 291 of the inputting section 77 toposition the anchor at the mail button 333 and operates thedetermination button 292 in the example of FIG. 21, then the CPU 71 ofthe camcorder 11 renders the mail function operative and controls theLCD unit 78 to display such a GUI for transmitting an electronic mail asshown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of a display of a transmission tabscreen displayed on the LCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 22, the transmission tab screen 341 is a screendisplayed when the user operates the cross key 291 to position theanchor at a transmission tab 342A and operates the determination button292. Similarly, if the user operates the cross key 291 to position theanchor at a reception tab 342B and operates the determination button292, then a reception tab screen (not shown) for performing reception ofa mail is displayed. Further, if the user operates the cross key 291 toposition the anchor at a address notebook tab 342C and then operates thedetermination button 292, then an address notebook screen (not shown)having a function of an address notebook is displayed. When the mailbutton 333 of FIG. 21 is operated, the transmission tab screen 341 shownin FIG. 22 may otherwise be displayed first. Alternatively, thereception tab screen may be displayed first, or the address notebook tabscreen may be displayed first.

In the example of FIG. 22, a destination button 343 for performing aprocess regarding inputting of a destination, an attachment button 344for performing a process regarding selection of an image file to beattached to an electronic mail to be transmitted, a title button 345 forperforming a process regarding inputting of a title, a text button 346for inputting a text, a transmission button 347 for transmitting anelectronic mail and an end button 348 for ending a transmissionoperation of an electronic mail and restoring the network menu screen330 of FIG. 21 are provided on the transmission tab screen 341.

A destination display section 353 for displaying an inputted destinationis provided on the right side of the destination button 343, and anattached image number display section 354A for indicating the number ofimages selected as attached images and a data size display section 354Bfor indicating a total data size of the image data selected as theattached images are provided on the right side of the attachment button344. Further, a title display section 355 for displaying an inputtedtitle is provided on the right side of the title button 345, and a textdisplay section 356 for displaying an inputted text is provided on theright side of the text display section 356.

The user will operate the destination button 342 to text button 346 ofthe transmission tab screen 341 to prepare an electronic mail andoperate the transmission button 347 to transmit the prepared electronicmail. Further, if the user wants to stop a preparation operation of anelectronic mail or the like, then it will operate the end button 348 toend the electronic mail transmission operation.

If the user operates the anchor to select the mail button 333 in FIG.21, then the CPU 71 of the camcorder 11 controls the LCD unit 78 todisplay the transmission tab screen 341 of FIG. 22 and executes a mailtransmission mode process.

The mail transmission mode process by the CPU 71 is described withreference to a flow chart of FIG. 23.

First at step S201, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the useroperates the anchor to operate the destination button 343. If it isdiscriminated that the destination button 343 is operated, then the CPU71 advances the processing to step S202, at which it causes a characterinputting screen to be displayed and accepts inputting of a destination.

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a display of the characterinputting screen displayed on the LCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 24, the character inputting screen 361 includes acharacter input blank 362 for displaying inputted characters, numeralsand symbols, a cursor 363 indicative of the position at which acharacter, numeral or symbol is to be inputted in the character inputblank 362, an alphanumeric tab 364A indicative of a mode in whichalphanumeric characters and symbols are inputted, a ‘hiragana’ tab 364Bindicative of another mode in which ‘hiragana’ and ‘kanji’ charactersare inputted, a ‘katakana’ tab 364C indicative of a further mode wherein‘katakana’ characters are inputted, buttons 365-1 to 365-19 forindicating a process regarding inputting of characters (includingnumerals and symbols) and an end button 366 for closing the characterinputting screen and end the character inputting operation.

On the character inputting screen 361 shown in FIG. 24, the user willoperate the cross key 291 to position the anchor at the alphanumeric tab364A, ‘hiragana’ tab 364B or ‘katakana’ tab 364C to select an input mode(type of characters). In the example of FIG. 24, the alphanumeric tab364A is selected.

The user having positioned the anchor at a tab to select an input modewill operate the cross key 291 to position the anchor at one of thebuttons 365-1 to 365-19 and operate the determination button 292 tooperate the GUI.

In the example of FIG. 24, the button 365-1 and the button 365-17 arebuttons for operating the position of the cursor 363. If the useroperates the cross key 291 to position the anchor at the button 365-1and then operates the determination button 292, then the cursor 363moves leftwardly by one character distance. However, if no character ispresent on the left side of the cursor 363, then the cursor 363 does notmove. Similarly, if the user operates the cross key 291 to position theanchor at the button 365-17 and operates the determination button 292,the cursor 363 moves rightwardly by one character distance. However, ifno character is present on the right side of the cursor 363, then thecursor 363 does not move.

If the button 365-18 is operated, then that one (including the line feedcharacter) of characters (including numerals and symbols) displayed inthe character input blank 362 which is positioned on the left side ofthe cursor 363 is erased, and the cursor 363 and those characters(including the line feed character) on the right side of the cursor 363are moved leftwardly by one character distance. However, if no characteris present on the left side of the cursor 363 (if there is no characterto be erased), then the cursor 363 does not move.

If the button 365-19 is operated, then the cursor 363 displayed in thecharacter input blank 362 is line-fed and thus displayed on the linelower by one line distance.

If the user operates the cross key 291 to move the anchor and operatesthe determination button 292 to operate any one of the buttons 365-2 to365-16, then a character, numeral or symbol displayed on the button isinputted. The inputted character is displayed at the position of thecursor 363 of the character input blank 362. At this time, the cursor363 moves rightwardly by one character distance. The charactersdisplayed on the buttons 365-2 to 365-16 differ depending upon the tabselected, and also characters inputted differ correspondingly.

If the buttons 365-2 to 365-5 and the button 365-8 in the example ofFIG. 24 are operated, then symbols are inputted, but if the buttons365-6 and 365-7 and the buttons 365-10 and 365-15 are operated, thenalphabets are inputted whereas, when the buttons 365-9 and 365-16 areoperated, numerals are inputted.

While a plurality of symbols, alphabets or numerals are displayed oneach of the buttons 365-2 to 365-16, if the determination button 292 isoperated, then one symbol or one character is inputted by the followingprocess.

For example, if the user operates the determination button 292 with theanchor positioned at the button 365-11, then the character “j” isinputted and displayed at the position of the cursor 363 in thecharacter input blank 362. Thereupon, the cursor 363 moves rightwardlyby one character distance. Then, if the user operates the determinationbutton 292 again, then the character “j” displayed in the characterinput blank 362 is erased and the character “k” is displayed. Similarly,if the user operates the determination button 292, then the character“k” is erased and the character “l” is displayed. In other words, thecharacter to be inputted changes depending upon the number of times bywhich the determination button 292 is operated. In the case of thebutton 365-11, six different characters “j”, “k”, “l”, “J”, “K” and “L”are inputted. It is to be noted that, if the determination button 292 isoperated in a state wherein the character “L” is displayed, then thecharacter “L” is erased and the character “j” is displayed.

A character displayed is decided if the cross key 291 is operated tomove the anchor. If a character is decided, then the position at which acharacter inputted is to be displayed in the character input blank 362returns to the position of the cursor 363. In other words, the displayposition moves rightwardly by one character distance.

As described above, the user can input a character by operating thecross key 291 and the determination button 292.

It is to be noted that the characters, numerals and symbols inputtedusing the buttons 365-2 to 365-16 may be other characters than thecharacters, numerals and symbols displayed on the character inputtingscreen 361.

The user who has completed inputting of characters will operate the endbutton 366 to restore the transmission tab screen 341 of FIG. 22. Theinputted destination is displayed in the destination display section 353of FIG. 22.

Referring back to FIG. 23, after the inputting of the destination iscompleted, the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S203. Further,when it is discriminated at step S201 that the user does not operate theanchor to operate the destination button 343 of FIG. 22, the CPU 71advances the processing to step S203.

At step S203, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the attachment button 344. If it is discriminatedthat the attachment button 344 is operated, then the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S204, at which it performs an attached imageselection process. Details of the attached image selection process arehereinafter described. When the attached image selection process isended, the number of selected images is displayed in the attached imagenumber display section 354A of FIG. 22, and the total data size of theimages is displayed in the data size display section 354B. After theattached image selection process is ended, the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S205.

If it is discriminated at step S203 that the user does not operate theanchor to operate the attachment button 344, then the CPU 71 advancesthe processing to step S205.

At step S205, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the title button 345. If it is discriminated thatthe title button 345 is operated, then the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S206, at which it causes the character inputtingscreen of FIG. 24 to be displayed and accepts an input of a title.Description of the inputting method is omitted because it is similar tothat in the case wherein a destination is inputted. The inputted titleis displayed in the title display section 355.

If the user completes the inputting of the title and then operates theend button 366, then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S207. Onthe other hand, when it is discriminated at step S205 that the user doesnot operate the anchor to operate the title button 345, the CPU 71advances the processing to step S207.

At step S207, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the text button 346. If it is discriminated thatthe text button 346 is operated, then the CPU 71 advances the processingto step S208, at which it performs a text editing process. Details ofthe text editing process are hereinafter described. When the textediting process comes to an end, the inputted text is displayed in thetext display section 356 of FIG. 22. After the text editing processcomes to an end, the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S209.

If it is discriminated at step S207 that the user does not operate theanchor to operate the text button 346, then the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S209.

At step S209, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the transmission button 347. If it isdiscriminated that the transmission button 347 is operated, then the CPU71 advances the processing to step S210, at which it controls thecommunication section 82 to establish a connection to the network andtransmit the inputted electronic mail.

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of a display of a transmissionstate confirmation screen displayed when a process of transmitting anelectronic mail is proceeding.

In the example of FIG. 25, a message of “Transmitting” is displayed in atransmission state confirmation screen 401 and an indicator indicativeof a proceeding situation of the transmission process is displayed belowthe transmission state confirmation screen 401, and a cancel button 402for stopping the transmission process is provided below the indicator.

The user will refer to the indicator of the transmission stateconfirmation screen 401 to grasp the proceeding situation of theelectronic mail transmission process and, when it wants to stop theprocess, operate the determination button 292 which composes theinputting section 77 to operate the cancel button 402. If the cancelbutton 402 is operated by the user, then the CPU 71 cancels thetransmission process and restores the transmission tab screen 341 ofFIG. 22.

After the transmission of the electronic mail is completed, the CPU 71ends the mail transmission mode process.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S209 that the userdoes not operate the anchor to operate the transmission button 347, thenthe CPU 71 advances the processing to step S211.

At step S211, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the end button 348. If it is discriminated thatthe end button 348 is operated, then the CPU 71 advances the processingto step S212, at which it controls the LCD unit 78 to display thenetwork menu screen 330 of FIG. 21 and ends the mail transmission modeprocess.

If it is discriminated at step S211 that the user does not operate theanchor to operate the end button 384, then the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S213.

At step S213, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the reception tab 342B of FIG. 22. If it isdiscriminated that the reception tab 342B is operated, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S214, at which it controls the LCD unit78 to display the reception tab screen and performs a process regardingreception, whereafter it ends the mail transmission mode process.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S213 that the userdoes not operate the anchor to operate the reception tab 342B, then theCPU 71 advances the processing to step S215.

At step S215, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the address notebook tab 342C. If it isdiscriminated that the address notebook tab 342C is operated, then theCPU 71 advances the processing to step S216, at which it controls theLCD unit 78 to display the address notebook tab screen and performs aprocess regarding an address notebook and then ends the mailtransmission mode process.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S215 that the userdoes not operate the anchor to operate the address notebook tab 342C,then the CPU 71 returns the processing to step S201 so that itthereafter executes the processes at the steps beginning with step S201.

As described above, when the CPU 71 performs the mail transmission modeprocess, the user can operate the GUI of the transmission tab screen 341of FIG. 22 to prepare an electronic mail to be transmitted and attach aplurality of images to the mail readily.

Subsequently, details of the attached image selection process performedat step S204 of FIG. 23 are described with reference to flow charts ofFIGS. 26 and 27.

If the user operates the anchor on the transmission tab screen 341 ofFIG. 22 to operate the destination button 343, then the CPU 71 firstcontrols the LCD unit 78 to display the image selection screen at stepS231.

FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a display of the image selectionscreen displayed on the LCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 28, a total data size 412 indicative of the totaldata size of image data selected as attached images by the user isdisplayed at the center of an upper portion of an image selection screen411. Further, a data name display section 413 indicative of the dataname of image data at which an anchor 424 is positioned and a data sizedisplay section 414 indicative of the data size of the image data aredisplayed at the center of a lower portion of the image selection screen411.

Further, a page backward feeding button 421 is provided on the left sideof the data name display section 413, and a page feeding button 422 isprovided on the right side of the data size display section 414. Theuser will operate the anchor 424 to operate the page backward feedingbutton 421 or the page feeding button 422 to change over image data tobe displayed.

Further, image data which make an object of selection of an attachedimage are displayed as thumbnail images 423-1 to 423-6 on the imageselection screen 411. While, in the example of FIG. 28, six images aredisplayed, the number of images is not limited to this and any number ofimages may be displayed. Image data displayed as thumbnail images havebeen picked up by the user and are stored in the RAM 73, EEPROM 74,recording and reproduction section 83 or memory card 85.

On the left side at an upper portion of the image selection screen 411,an all cancel button 425 for canceling checks of thumbnail imagesselected as attached images is provided. Further, on the right side atthe upper portion of the image selection screen 411, determinationbutton 426 for completing the image selection operation is provided.

On the image selection screen 411, the user will use the cross key 291and the determination button 292 of the inputting section 77 to operatethe anchor 424 to operate the page backward feeding button 421 and thepage feeding button 422 to select thumbnail images displayed. At a rightupper portion of each of the thumbnail images 423-1 to 423-6 displayed,the number representative of an order number of the thumbnail image isdisplayed.

It is shown that, by an operation of the user, the anchor 424 ispositioned on the left side of the number of a thumbnail imagedesignated by the user and indicates that the thumbnail image isdesignated. Then, if the user operates the determination button 292 ofthe inputting section 77, then the image data of the thumbnail image atwhich the anchor 424 is positioned are selected. At a left upper portionof the selected thumbnail image, a check mark representing that thethumbnail image is selected is displayed. It is to be noted that thenumber of thumbnails which can be selected is a predetermined numberdetermined in advance or any number only if a predetermined data size isnot exceeded.

Further, if image data of a thumbnail image selected as an attachedimage and having a check mark displayed therefor are selected again bythe user, then the selection of the image data is canceled and thedisplay of the check mark disappears.

In the example of FIG. 28, the anchor 424 is positioned at the thumbnailimage 423-6 of the number 12, and the thumbnail image 423-1 of thenumber 7, the thumbnail image 423-2 of the number 8 and the thumbnailimage 423-6 of the number 12 are selected as attached images.

If the user wants to cancel all of the selected attached images, thenthe user will use the cross key 291 and the determination button 292 ofthe inputting section 77 to operate the anchor 424 to operate the allcancel button 425 to cancel the selection of all of the image data andperform an image selection operation again from the beginning.

When the user wants to end the image selection operation, the user willoperate the anchor to operate the determination button 426. If thedetermination button 426 is operated, then the transmission tab screenof FIG. 22 is displayed on the LCD unit 78 and a result of the imageselection operation is reflected.

Referring back to FIG. 26, the CPU 71 which has controlled the LCD unit78 to display the image selection screen 411 at step S231 advances theprocessing to step S232, at which it discriminates whether or not theuser operates the page backward feeding button 421 of FIG. 28. If it isdiscriminated that the page backward feeding button 421 is operated,then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S233, at which itdiscriminates whether or not a preceding page is present on thecurrently displayed image selection screen 411. If it is discriminatedthat a preceding page is present, then the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S234, at which it controls the LCD unit 78 to displaythe preceding page. The CPU 71 which has caused the preceding image tobe displayed advances the processing to step S235.

If it is discriminated at step S233 that a preceding page is notpresent, then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S235. Further,when it is discriminated at step S232 that the user does not operate theanchor to operate the page backward feeding button 421, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S235.

At step S235, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe page feeding button 422. If it is discriminated that the useroperates the page feeding button 422, then the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S236, at which it discriminates whether or not a nextpage to the currently displayed image selection screen 411 is present.If it is discriminated that a next page is present, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S237, at which it controls the LCD unit78 to display the next page. The CPU 71 having caused the next page tobe displayed advances the processing to step S238 of FIG. 27.

If it is discriminated at step S236 that a next page is not present,then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S238 of FIG. 27.Further, when it is discriminated at step S235 that the user does notoperate the anchor to operate the page feeding button 422, the CPU 71advances the processing to step S238 of FIG. 27.

At step S238, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to select one of the thumbnail images 423-1 to 423-6. If itis discriminated that one of the thumbnail images 423-1 to 423-6 isselected, then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S239, at whichit discriminates whether or not the selected thumbnail image is selectedalready as an attached image. If it is discriminated that the selectedthumbnail image is not selected, then the CPU 71 advances the processingto step S240, at which it selects the thumbnail image as an attachedimage, and then advances the processing to step S242.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S239 that the selectedthumbnail is selected already as an attached image, then the CPU 71cancels the selection of the thumbnail image as an attached image, andthen advances the processing to step S242.

At step S242, the CPU 71 calculates a total data size of the selectedattached image data and displays the total data size in the total datasize display section 412. After the process at step S242 is completed,the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S243.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S238 that the anchor424 is not operated to select a thumbnail image by the user, then theCPU 71 advances the processing to step S243.

At step S243, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor 424 to operate the all cancel button 425. If it isdiscriminated that the all cancel button 425 is operated, then the CPU71 advances the processing to step S244, at which it cancels theselection of all attached images. The CPU 71 having canceled theselected of all attached images advances the processing to step S245.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S243 that the userdoes not operate the anchor 424 to operate the all cancel button 425,then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S245.

At step S245, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor 424 to operate the determination button 426. If it isdiscriminated that the determination button 426 is operated, then theCPU 71 advances the processing to step S246, at which it controls theLCD unit 78 to display the transmission tab screen 341 of FIG. 22 onwhich a result of the image attaching operation is reflected. The CPU 71having ended the process at step S246 ends the attached image selectionprocess and advances the processing to step S205 of FIG. 23.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S245 that the userdoes not operate the anchor 424 to operate the determination button 426,then the CPU 71 returns the processing to step S231 of FIG. 26 so thatthe processes at the steps beginning with step S231 are repeated.

The attached image selection process is performed in such a manner asdescribed above, and the user can utilize the image selection screen 411of FIG. 28 to select an attached image.

Subsequently, details of the text editing process performed at step S208of the flow chart of FIG. 23 are described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 29.

If the user operates the anchor to operate the text button 346 of thetransmission tab screen 341 of FIG. 22, then the CPU 71 first controlsthe LCD unit 78 to display a text detail screen at step S261.

FIG. 30 is a view showing an example of a display of the text detailscreen 451 displayed on the LCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 30, the text detail screen 451 includes a textdisplay place 452 for displaying an inputted text, a scroll bar 453 forscrolling the text inputted to the text display place 452 when the textcannot be displayed at a time, an edit button 454 for performing anediting operation for the text, and a determination button 455 forending the editing of the text.

If the user operates the anchor to operate the edit button 454 of thetext detail screen 451, then the character inputting screen 361 shown inFIG. 24 is displayed. The user can utilize the character inputtingscreen 361 to input a text. After the inputting of the text iscompleted, the user will operate the end button 366 of the characterinputting screen 361 of FIG. 24 to restore the text detail screen.

The inputted text is displayed in the text display place 452 of the textdetail screen 451. After the editing of the text comes to an end, theuser will operate the determination button 455 to restore thetransmission tab screen 341 of FIG. 22.

Referring back to FIG. 29, the CPU 71 having caused the text detailscreen 451 to be displayed advances the processing to step S262, atwhich it discriminates whether or not the user uses the cross key 291and the determination button 292 to operate the anchor 424 to operatethe edit button 454 of the text detail screen 451. If it isdiscriminated that the edit button 454 is operated, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S263, at which it controls the LCD unit78 to display the character inputting screen 361 of FIG. 24 and acceptsan input. Consequently, the user will perform an inputting operation ofa text. If the inputting operation is completed, then the user willoperate the end button 366 of the character inputting screen 361 of FIG.24.

At step S264, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe end button 366 of the character inputting screen 361 of FIG. 24, andthe CPU 71 waits until it is discriminated that the end button 366 isoperated. If it is discriminated that the end button 366 is operated,then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S265.

On the other hand; if it is discriminated at step S262 that the userdoes not operate the anchor to operate the edit button 454, the CPU 71advances the processing to step S265.

At step S265, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the determination button 455. If it isdiscriminated that the determination button 455 is not operated, thenthe CPU 71 returns the processing to step S262 so that the processes atthe steps beginning with step S262 are repeated.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated that the user operates theanchor to operate the determination button 455, the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S266, at which it controls the LCD unit 78 to displaythe transmission tab screen 341 on which a result of the text editingoperation is reflected. The CPU 71 having caused the transmission tabscreen 341 to be displayed ends the text editing process and advancesthe processing to step S209 of FIG. 23.

The user can edit a text of an electronic mail in such a manner asdescribed above.

By performing easy operations as described above, the user can cause aGUI for editing a destination, a title, a text or the like or anotherGUI for performing an operation of attaching an image to an electronicmail to be displayed from the transmission tab screen 341 of FIG. 22.

Further, if the user operates the anchor to operate the WEB album button334 on the network menu screen 330 of FIG. 21, then a WEB album mode inwhich image data can be stored into a server connected to the Internetis selected, and a WEB album menu screen is displayed on the LCD unit78.

FIG. 31 is a view showing an example of a display of the WEB album menuscreen displayed on the LCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 31, the WEB album menu screen 501 includes anupload button 502 for performing a process of uploading image data, aread/edit button 503 for performing a process of reading or editing aWEB album into which image data have been uploaded, and an end button504 for ending the WEB album mode.

If the user operates the anchor to operate the upload button 502, thenthe CPU 71 starts an uploading process.

The uploading process by the CPU 71 is described with reference to aflow chart of FIG. 32.

If the user operates the anchor to operate the upload button 502, thenthe CPU 71 first controls the LCD unit 78 to display an upload screen atstep S301.

FIG. 33 is a view showing an example of a display of the upload screendisplayed on the LCD unit 78.

In the example of FIG. 33, the upload screen 511 includes an albumbutton 512 for inputting the name of an album of a destination ofuploading, an image selection button 513 for selecting an image to beuploaded, an invitation letter button 514 for preparing a letter ofinvitation, a transmission button 515 for starting uploading, an endbutton 516 for ending the uploading process, an album name display place522 for displaying the album name of the destination of transmission, aselected image number display section 523A for displaying the number ofimage data to be uploaded, and a selected image data size displaysection 523B for displaying the total data size of the image data to beuploaded.

The user will operate the anchor to operate the buttons to prepareinformation regarding uploading and perform an uploading process.

Referring back to FIG. 32, the CPU 71 having caused the upload screen511 to be displayed discriminates at step S302 whether or not the useroperates the album button 512 of the upload screen 511. If it isdiscriminated that the album button 512 is operated, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S303, at which it controls the LCD unit78 to display the character inputting screen 361 of FIG. 24 and acceptsan input of the user to determine a transmission destination album. Thedetermined transmission destination album name is displayed in the albumname display place 522 of the upload screen 511 of FIG. 33.

As alternative inputting method of an album name, for example, aselection form may be used wherein a list of album names is displayedand the user selects one of the album names from within the list.

After an album name is inputted by the user, the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S304. On the other hand, if it is discriminated atstep S302 that the user does not operate the anchor to operate the albumbutton 512, then the CPU 71 advances the processing advances to stepS304.

At step S304, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user uses thecross key 291 and the determination button 292 of the inputting section77 to operate the anchor to operate the image selection button 513. Ifit is discriminated that the image selection button 513 is operated,then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S305, at which itperforms an upload image selection process. Details of the upload imageselection process are hereinafter described. If the upload imageselection process comes to an end, the CPU 71 advances the processing tostep S306.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S304 that the userdoes not operate the cross key 291 and the determination button 292 ofthe inputting section 77 to operate the anchor to operate the imageselection button 513, then the CPU 71 advances the processing to stepS306.

At step S306, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the invitation letter button 514. If it isdiscriminated that the invitation letter button 514 is operated, thenthe CPU 71 advances the processing to step S307, at which it performs aprocess of preparing a letter of invitation. After a letter ofinvitation is prepared, the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S308.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S306 that the userdoes not operate the anchor to operate the invitation letter button 514,the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S308.

At step S308, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to operate the transmission button 515. If it isdiscriminated that the transmission button 515 is operated, then the CPU71 advances the processing to step S309, at which it establishes aconnection to the camcorder image station 41 of the network businesscenter 15 through the Internet 10 to upload image data selected by theupload image selection process by the user.

FIG. 34 is a view showing an example of a display of an upload stateconfirmation screen displayed on the LCD unit 78 during uploading ofimage data.

In the example of FIG. 34, a message of “Uploading” is displayed on theupload state confirmation screen 531, and a cancel button 532 forcanceling a process of uploading image data is provided on the uploadstate confirmation screen 531. The user will refer to the messagedisplayed on the upload state confirmation screen 531 to grasp aproceeding situation of the uploading process. Then, if the user wantsto cancel the process of uploading image data, then it will operate thedetermination button 292 of the inputting section 77 to operate thecancel button 532. When the cancel button 532 is operated, the processof uploading image data is stopped, and the upload state confirmationscreen 531 is closed.

Referring back to FIG. 32, the CPU 71 having uploaded the selected imagedata ends the uploading process.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S308 that the userdoes not operate the transmission button 515, then the CPU 71 advancesthe processing to step S310, at which it discriminates whether or notthe user operates the anchor to operate the end button 516. If it isdiscriminated that the end button 516 is operated, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S311, at which it causes the networkmenu screen 330 of FIG. 21 to be displayed and then ends the uploadingprocess.

If it is not discriminated at step S310 that the user operates the endbutton 516, then the CPU 71 returns the processing to step S302 so thatthe processes at the steps beginning with step S302 are repeated.

Since the CPU 71 performs an uploading operation in such a manner asdescribed above, the user can operate the upload screen 511 of FIG. 33to upload image data.

Subsequently, details of the upload image selection process executed atstep S305 of the flow chart of FIG. 32 are described with reference toflow charts of FIGS. 35 and 56.

If the user uses the cross key 291 and the determination button 292 ofthe inputting section 77 to operate the anchor to operate the imageselection button 513 on the upload screen 511 shown in FIG. 33, then theCPU 71 first causes the image selection screen 411 shown in FIG. 28 tobe displayed at step S331 of FIG. 35. The user will select an image tobe uploaded similarly as in the case wherein an image to be attached toan electronic mail is selected.

At step S332, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe page backward feeding button 421 of FIG. 28. If it is discriminatedthat the page backward feeding button 421 is operated, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S333, at which it discriminates whetheror not a preceding page to the currently displayed image selectionscreen 411 is present. If it is discriminated that a preceding page ispresent, then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S334, which itcontrols the LCD unit 78 to display the preceding page. The CPU 71having caused the preceding page to be displayed advances the processingto step S335.

If it is discriminated at step S333 that a preceding page is notpresent, then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S335. On theother hand, if it is discriminated at step S332 that the user does notoperate the anchor to operate the page backward feeding button 421, thenthe CPU 71 advances the processing to step S335.

At step S335, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe page feeding button 422 of FIG. 28. If it is discriminated that thepage feeding button 422 is operated, then the CPU 71 advances theprocessing to step S336, at which it discriminates whether or not a nextpage to the currently displayed image selection screen 411 is present.If it is discriminated that a next page is present, then the CPU 71advances the processing to step S337, at which it controls the LCD unit78 to display the next page. The CPU 71 having caused the next page tobe displayed advances the processing to step S338 of FIG. 36.

If it is discriminated at step S336 that a next page is not present,then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S338 of FIG. 36. On theother hand, if it is discriminated at step S335 that the user does notoperate the anchor to operate the page feeding button 422, then the CPU71 advances the processing to step S338.

At step S338, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor to select one of the thumbnail images 423-1 to 423-6. If itis discriminated that one of the thumbnail images 423-1 to 423-6 isselected, then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S339, at whichit discriminates whether or not the selected thumbnail image is selectedalready as an upload image. If it is discriminated that the selectedthumbnail image is not selected, then the CPU 71 advances the processingto step S340, at which it selects the thumbnail image as an uploadimage, and then advances the processing to step S342.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S339 that the selectedthumbnail image is selected already as an upload image, then the CPU 71cancels the selection of the thumbnail image as an upload image andadvances the processing to step S342.

At step S342, the CPU 71 calculates the total data size of the selectedupload image data and displays the total data size on the total datasize display section 412. After the process at step S342 comes to anend, the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S343.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S338 that the userdoes not operate the anchor 424 to select a thumbnail image, then theCPU 71 advances the processing to step S343.

At step S343, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor 424 to operate the all cancel button 425. If it isdiscriminated that the all cancel button 425 is operated, then the CPU71 advances the processing to step S344, at which it cancels theselection of all of the upload images. The CPU 71 having canceled theselection of all of the upload images advances the processing to stepS345.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S343 that the userdoes not operate the anchor 424 to operate the all cancel button 425,then the CPU 71 advances the processing to step S345.

At step S345, the CPU 71 discriminates whether or not the user operatesthe anchor, 424 to operate the determination button 426. If it isdiscriminated that the determination button 426 is operated, then theCPU 71 advances the processing to step S346, at which it controls theLCD unit 78 to display the upload screen 511 of FIG. 33 such that aresult of the image selection operation is reflected. The CPU 71 havingcompleted the process at step S346 ends the upload image selectionprocess and advances the processing to step S306 of FIG. 32.

On the other hand, if it is discriminated at step S345 that the userdoes not operate the anchor 424 to operate the determination button 426,then the CPU 71 returns the processing to step S331 of FIG. 35 so thatthe processes at the steps beginning with step S331 are repeated.

The upload image selection process is performed in such a manner asdescribed above, and the user can utilize the image selection button 513of FIG. 33 to select an upload image.

As described above, also when image data are to be uploaded, the usercan select an image to be uploaded by performing simple operations basedon the GUI on the upload screen 511 for performing uploading of imagedata.

While the series of processes described above can be executed byhardware, it may otherwise be executed by software. Where the series ofprocesses is executed by software, a program which constructs thesoftware is installed from a network or a recording medium into acomputer incorporated in hardware for exclusive use or, for example, apersonal computer for universal use which can execute various functionsby installing various programs.

The recording medium is formed as a package medium formed from, as shownin FIG. 3, a magnetic disk 91 (including a floppy disk), an optical disk92 (including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) and a DVD(Digital Versatile Disk)), or a magneto-optical disk 93 (including an MD(Mini-Disk)), or a semiconductor memory 94 which has the programrecorded thereon or therein and is distributed in order to provide theprogram separately from an apparatus body, or else is formed from a ROM72 or the like which is provided to a user in a state wherein it isincorporated in the apparatus body in advance and in which the programis recorded.

It is to be noted that, in the present specification, the steps whichdescribe the program stored in a recording medium may be but need notnecessarily be processed in a time series in the order as described, andinclude processes which are executed in parallel or individually withoutbeing processed in a time series.

Further, in the present specification, the term system represents anentire apparatus which is composed of a plurality of apparatus.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the information processing apparatusand method, recording medium and program of the present invention, upontransmission of an electronic mail or upon uploading of image data, auser can readily select image data of a plurality of images to beattached to the electronic mail or the image data.

1. An information processing apparatus for uploading image datacomprising: an image acquisition unit for acquiring images; atransmission unit for transmitting image data through a network; astorage unit for storing GUI information; a display unit for displayingthe GUI information that includes: a menu section for displaying anapplication menu that includes an application to compose e-mailcontaining image data selected by a user and an application to uploadimage data selected by the user; a thumbnail section for displayingplural thumbnail images selected by the user; a data size section fordisplaying the total data size of the image data of all of the thumbnailimages selected by said user and; a title section for displaying auser-generated name to identify an album comprised of imagescorresponding to said selected thumbnail images; an input unit operableby said user for operating the GUI information, said input unitincluding an inputting section operable by said user to generate thename of said album displayed in said title section and to select aplurality of desired thumbnail images; and a control unit forcontrolling said transmission unit to transmit said displayed album nameand image data corresponding to said selected thumbnail images to aremote server via said network.
 2. An information processing method foran information processing apparatus to upload image data comprising thesteps of: acquiring images; transmitting image data through a network;storing GUI information; displaying the GUI information that includes: amenu section for displaying an application menu that includes anapplication to compose e-mail containing image data selected by a userand an application to upload image data selected by the user: athumbnail section for displaying plural thumbnail images selected by theuser; a data size section for displaying the total data size of theimage data of all of the thumbnail images selected by said user and; atitle section for displaying a user-generated name to identify an albumcomprised of images corresponding to said selected thumbnail images:operating the GUI information to generate the name of said albumdisplayed in said title section and to select a plurality of desiredthumbnail images; and transmitting said displayed album name and imagedata corresponding to said selected thumbnail images to a remote servervia said network.
 3. A recording medium for storing a computer-readableprogram for controlling an information processing apparatus to uploadimage data, said program controlling the steps of: acquiring images;transmitting image data through a network; storing GUI information;displaying the GUI information that includes: a menu section fordisplaying an application menu that includes an application to composee-mail containing image, data selected by a user and an application toupload image data selected by the user: a thumbnail section fordisplaying plural thumbnail images selected by the user; a data sizesection for displaying the total data size of the image data of all ofthe thumbnail images selected by said user and; a title section fordisplaying a user-generated name to identify an album comprised ofimages corresponding to said selected thumbnail images; operating theGUI information generate the name of said album displayed in said titlesection and to select a plurality of desired thumbnail images; andtransmitting said displayed album name and image data corresponding tosaid selected thumbnail images to a remote server via said network. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display unit includes a pagebackward feeding button and a page feeding button.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said display unit includes an all cancel button tocancel the selection of all of the image data selected by said user. 6.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said display unit includes an anchorto indicate the thumbnail images selected by said user.
 7. The apparatusof claim 6, wherein said display unit includes a data name displaysection to display an image data name with the anchor, and a data sizedisplay section to display the image data, size with the anchor.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said display unit includes an image numberdisplay section to display the number of the thumbnail image selected bysaid user.